All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester United are believed to be considering a move for Brighton and Hove Albion starlet, Evan Ferguson, albeit with any deal not set to take place until next summer.

What's the latest on Ferguson to Man United?

According to journalist Melissa Reddy, the Red Devils – as well as rivals Tottenham Hotspur – are seemingly lining up a swoop for the 18-year-old sensation in 2024, with United having previously missed out on the teenager's signature despite taking him on trial in the past.

Writing on Twitter, the respected insider stated: "Manchester United and Tottenham have both earmarked Evan Ferguson as the forward that can lead their line long term, with groundwork having started over a future move…"

In her attached piece for Sky Sports, Reddy explains that the Republic of Ireland international – who recently signed a new deal with the Seagulls – is viewed as a '£50m-plus mistake' by those at United due to their previous failure to sign him, with Erik ten Hag and co now lining up the sparkling youngster as a target for the long-term.

Should Man United sign Evan Ferguson?

The former Bohemian striker has certainly caught the attention of late following what has been a real breakthrough campaign at the Amex, with the precocious talent having scored ten goals at senior level in all competitions this term.

The much-coveted striker – who also boasts a tally of five goals in just six Premier League 2 games this season in the youth ranks – has been earmarked as a potential "£100m phenom" of the future, according to Reddy, while Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that the 6 foot 2 ace could become one of the "best strikers in the Premier League".

Likened to one-time Man United man, Michael Owen, for his "ice cold" finishing prowess – as per talkSPORT pundit Scott Minto – Ferguson is deservedly earning rave reviews for his standout recent form, with it set to be no surprise if he kicks on again for the south coast side next season.

If the four-cap powerhouse does eventually end up at the Theatre of Dreams, Ten Hag could well have the makings of a truly mouthwatering, long-term attacking partnership involving Ferguson and fellow teen, Alejandro Garnacho, with the latter gem having also been a breakout star in the top-flight this term.

The FA Youth Cup-winning winger has netted five goals and provided five assists across all fronts at senior level to date, only recently marking his return from injury with a late strike off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While still only 18 himself, the Argentine speedster has already emerged as a real "game changer" for United – according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst – with Ten Hag hailing the "brave" youngster as a "huge talent" following his effort against the Old Gold.

Although the Madrid-born dynamo will need to maintain his initial, first-team impact next season – as too will Ferguson at the Amex – the signs are that Garnacho could well be a real star of the future for the Red Devils.

To think that the teen machine could be well be partnered with the clinical Brighton man at some stage over the coming years is exciting, indeed.

Manchester United brought their Premier League season to a close with a comeback victory over Fulham on Sunday afternoon, with the Red Devils running out 2-1 winners to secure third place ahead of Newcastle United.

Following that final-day triumph, manager Erik ten Hag issued a rallying cry to the Old Trafford crowd ahead of this weekend's FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City, with the Dutchman stating that his side have a "really good chance" of bettering their rivals at Wembley.

Looking past the upcoming showpiece, however, the former Ajax boss is seemingly aware that it will take further additions if the club are to compete with the likes of City next season and beyond, with the 53-year-old having outlined the need to ''invest'' this summer.

According to reports in Spain, one investment that Ten Hag and co could make is with regard to the signing of Real Madrid sensation, Vinicius Jr, with the Carabao Cup winners said to be willing to fork out around €150m (£130m) on the Brazilian international.

That apparent interest from United comes amid reports that the 22-year-old could be looking to secure an exit from the Bernabeu after suffering abhorrent racist abuse in La Liga this season, having spent the last five years in the Spanish capital.

Should Man United sign Vincius Jr?

If there is any small chance that the Red Devils could sign the fleet-footed "phenomenon" – as hailed by Madrid teammate Karim Benzema – then they should certainly pounce, with the young winger having established himself as arguably the "best in the world", according to manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

That glowing praise has come amid the former Flamengo man's stunning form in recent seasons, having provided 44 goal involvements in just 54 games across all fronts this season, after previously chipping in with 42 goals and assists in 52 outings last term.

To be producing the goods on a consistent basis at such a young age is a testament to the 5 foot 9 gem's quality, with it undoubtedly set to be a real coup as far as Ten Hag is concerned if a deal can be wrapped up.

One man who may well be sweating amid the prospect of that signing, however, is Marcus Rashford, with the club's leading scorer predominantly operating on the left flank – much like Vinicius.

If the deal is to be agreed for the Madrid star, it could then be the case that Rashford – who has scored 30 goals so far this season – is re-housed elsewhere in the side, potentially offering a long-term solution at centre-forward.

In fact, that shift could well help to get the best out of the Englishman, as he has scored 11 goals in just 18 appearances as a striker this term – as per Transfermarkt – while bagging 16 goals from 31 outings in his usual left-wing role.

The academy graduate – who burst onto the scene back in 2016 as a number nine – has also received the backing of club legend Gary Neville as a central striker, with the Sky Sports pundit stating earlier this year that the 25-year-old "hasn't got the subtlety" to play off the left, while going on to add:

"Rashford's good at running in behind people, and driving at people, and that's what has happened in the last couple of weeks. Playing centre-forward is a lot less complicated for Rashford."

Therefore, rather than splashing the cash on the likes of Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen, Ten Hag could use those funds to bring in Vinicius on the flanks, while in turn promoting Rashford to a leading role through the middle as the spearhead of the attack.

An update has emerged on Celtic and their plans to bolster their squad heading into the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Zan Vipotnik to Celtic?

According to Football Scotland, Ange Postecoglou is considering a swoop to sign Maribor centre-forward Zan Vipotnik ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the club are weighing up a possible bid to snap up the 21-year-old prospect, who is also being courted by Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb.

It is stated that his current club are looking for a fee in the region of £3.5m and the player's agent has confirmed that the Hoops are in the race for his signature.

Sasa Zupan told Football Scotland: "Yes, there is interest from Celtic for a summer transfer but there are a lot of clubs who want to sign Zan when the window opens."

Who is Zan Vipotnik?

He is a 21-year-old Slovenian international who currently plays for Maribor in his home country and the talented youngster could come in as a dream heir to Kyogo Furuhashi at Parkhead.

The number 77 has caught the eye with his performances this season as the young marksman has plundered an impressive 23 goals and one assist in 38 appearances in all competitions, including 20 strikes in 30 league outings.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously described the hotshot as a "poacher" and listed "finishing" and "movement" as some of the strengths of his game.

His statistics for Maribor this season suggest that those comments from Kulig were accurate as the dynamo has been a consistent, prolific, goalscorer at senior level in spite of his young age.

He is seven years younger than Kyogo and could arrive in Scotland as his understudy to start with before eventually taking over from the Japan international, as the gem has many years left ahead of him to grow and develop.

In the Scottish Premiership this season, the 28-year-old scored 27 goals and provided two assists in 36 appearances and was a reliable, prolific, scorer for Postecoglou throughout the campaign.

The PFA Scotland Men's Player of the Year is the go-to man for goals at Parkhead but has been linked with Crystal Palace and would reportedly be interested in playing in the Premier League, which puts his long-term future at the club in doubt.

This means that bringing in Vipotnik could be a shrewd piece of business by the head coach, as the up-and-coming marksman's form this season indicates that the ace has the potential to replicate Kyogo's success at Celtic if he is able to translate his performances over to Scotland.

Therefore, Postecoglou could land the dream heir to the phenomenal Japanese centre-forward by winning the race to land the £3.5m Slovenian talent.

Tottenham Hotspur's manager search has gone exactly as the fanbase knew it would, drawing out a process that takes other clubs mere days.

Take Brighton and Hove Albion for example. Having enjoyed a fine start to the season, it looked like their success would be thrown into jeopardy when Graham Potter moved to Chelsea in September. However, less than ten days after that Sky Sports announcement, Roberto De Zerbi had been appointed as his replacement. They have since gone on to surpass the Lilywhites, claiming one of the European spots that they would miss out on.

Given the relative stature of both clubs, it is a miserable indictment of the shambolic running of the former Champions League finalists.

Having dismissed Antonio Conte in late March, it has now been over two months and they are no closer to naming his successor.

Julian Nagelsmann was first ruled out of the running, before Arne Slot snubbed the offer to stay in his homeland. Now, as of late May, rumours are circulating linking them with a swoop for the out-of-work former River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo.

Whilst a newer name on the media merry-go-round, he could actually provide an upgrade to the Dutchman who turned them down last month.

Would Marcelo Gallardo be an upgrade on Arne Slot?

Although the Argentinian has been unemployed since leaving his hometown club in 2022, the 47-year-old is still a revered name by many given the success he earned at River. Pep Guardiola even claimed: "What Gallardo has done with River is incredible."

Across his eight years and 424 games in charge of the club, he would win 12 separate honours, meaning his trophy cabinet is filled to the brim. Although Slot's exploits in this campaign might have made him an attractive proposition, he does not boast half the title-winning acumen of this potential alternative.

Not only this, but Gallardo's time in his homeland also saw him maintain a points-per-match average of 1.88, made all the more impressive given his longevity. He would also concede fewer goals than games, highlighting a defensive solidity that Spurs have lacked this season, having shipped 63 goals in 38 games.

Meanwhile, whilst the Feyenoord boss did lead his team to the Eredivisie title, it marked his first-ever piece of silverware. Levy, whilst he has been lambasted for chasing proven winners like Conte and Jose Mourinho in recent years, must surely avoid going too aggressively in the other direction.

He needs someone young and willing to forge a team to compete in the long run, and there are few in the modern game who can boast such longevity and success as Gallardo, supplemented by his free-flowing 4-3-3 style.

It is the closest they will get to repeating their success with Mauricio Pochettino, which is the very least they must aim for after allowing him to join Chelsea. In fact, journalist Alasdair Gold even suggested in a Q&A: "Gallardo is certainly growing his reputation and some people believe he's similar to Pochettino in style".

With everything Levy needs in a manager, plus that passion and title-winning mentality to boot, Gallardo would mark a surprising but stunning capture to surely surpass what Slot would have achieved in north London.

Tottenham Hotspur could well be set to rekindle their interest in Eintrach Frankfurt defender, Evan Ndicka, with the Lilywhites having previously been linked with the Frenchman back in January.

What's the latest on Ndicka to Tottenham?

According to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the north London outfit are seemingly set to rival the likes of Roma and AC Milan for the signing of the 23-year-old, with the promising centre-back set to be a free agent when his contract expires later this month.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "AC Milan has made a contractual offer to Evan Ndicka, 3 M € / year over 5 years. Scalable salary.

"Roma offers 4 M € / year over a period of 5 years. For the moment the Italians are in the best position to sign him. He also had contacts with Tottenham."

This follows reports from Germany back in the winter window that suggested Spurs had held talks regarding the signing of the Paris-born rock, with the 6 foot 4 ace having spent the last five years with the Bundesliga outfit.

Who is Evan Ndicka?

The former Auxerre ace could well represent a real upgrade on Clement Lenglet at N17 for new boss Ange Postecoglou, with recent reports suggesting that the on-loan Frenchman is unlikely to be signed on a permanent deal this summer.

Having been snapped up on a temporary basis from Barcelona ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, the 27-year-old formed part of a defence that shipped 63 league goals in 2022/23, an increase of 23 goals in contrast to the previous season.

While the one-time Sevilla man can not be solely blamed for those woes, it is telling that Tottenham were only able to keep one league clean sheet from his 26 Premier League outings, having notably been described as an "imposter" by ex-Spurs midfielder, Jamie O'Hara.

The addition of Ndicka then could well represent a dream replacement for the £145k-per-week dud, with the "phenomenal" talent – as previously hailed by former boss Adi Hutter – notably helping to keep six clean sheets from his 30 league appearances.

A left-footed option, like Lenglet, the younger man appeared to enjoy a far better season than his compatriot having achieved an average match rating of 6.81, as per Sofascore, while the Spurs loanee was only able to average 6.65 – ranking 20th among his teammates.

The Frankfurt ace appears to offer greater quality at defending his own box as he ranks in the top 17% for clearances and the top 20% for blocks made among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues, while Lenglet, by contrast, ranks in just the bottom 19% and the bottom 40% for those same two metrics, respectively.

According to journalist Christopher Michel, Ndicka also represents an "exciting complete package" as he is also "extremely goal-threatening", having scored 12 goals and provided ten assists in 183 games for his current side, while Lenglet, by contrast also boasts a tally of 22 goal involvements throughout his club career, albeit from over 350 appearances.

That would indicate that the signing of the £20k-per-week sensation could be the defensive upgrade that Postecoglou is in need of.

Celtic hiring Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca would potentially be an 'exciting' appointment to replace Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Celtic and Enzo Maresca?

As per The Sun, Celtic are set to speak to Maresca regarding the managerial vacancy at Parkhead now that Manchester City's Champions League final tie against Inter Milan has been and gone.

The 43-year-old is said to have the backing of sections of the Celtic hierarchy and is viewed as a trusted commodity by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Maresca serves as one of his assistant managers at the Premier League champions.

Former Ascoli manager Fulvio Fiorin has backed Maresca to strike out on his own as a manager in an interview with The Times, stating: “I haven’t spoken to Enzo specifically about Celtic, but I do know that he has that ambition, that desire to stretch himself and improve. He is someone who accepts challenges. For sure, not everyone has the courage to go and work at a club like Celtic, but I don’t believe Enzo would shy away from it."

Maresca has held one role in senior management at Serie B side Parma, where he won four matches, drew five and lost five before being sacked after just 14 matches in charge of the Italian outfit, as per Transfermarkt.

Previously, Maresca also enjoyed a productive spell as manager of Manchester City's elite development squad and guided them to their first-ever Premier League 2 title back in 2020/21.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks Maresca could prove to be an intriguing appointment by Celtic as they look to secure a new manager.

Jones told FFC: "It makes a lot of sense that this is one of the first places they would look towards for a replacement. Obviously, the type of team you would expect he would build, the contacts that he would be able to lean on and the philosophy would probably fit too on the back of what Ange has built at that club in terms of the expectation. I think in terms too of keeping the fan base on side, they were so bonded by Postecoglou and there will be amazing disappointment at the club at the moment that he's gone. It needs to be an interesting and exciting man that comes in to replace him and Maresca definitely ticks those boxes."

Would Maresca be a good appointment for Celtic and who else has been linked?

By all means, Maresca, who played with Zidane as a player, looks to be a promising coach that has a first-hand grasp of how to play successful entertaining football given his time spent at Manchester City. However, there would be some reticence from the Celtic support given his lack of managerial experience.

Several other managers have been linked to the job, none more so than former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, who has been at the centre of face-to-face discussions with Celtic chiefs over a possible return to Parkhead, as per The Daily Mail.

Ex-Norwich City man Daniel Farke has also been in dialogue with the Scottish champions according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who stated on Twitter: "News Farke: Talks with Celtic FC! Celtic very interested in signing him as a replacement for Postecoglou. First talks took place. Next option: Leeds confirmed. But not advanced yet. Could change next week. Farke, ready to take over a new club now!"

Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen, former Alanyaspor boss Francesco Farioli and Club Brugge assistant Rik de Mil have also been mentioned in connection with the Celtic job as the Hoops continue to assess potential candidates to take over from the departed Postecoglou.

Tottenham Hotspur are "set to fail" in their pursuit of Villarreal winger Nicolas Jackson with his move to Chelsea "90%" done, according to reports.

Who will join Spurs this summer?

Ange Postecoglou has been a busy man behind-the-scenes already, despite not officially starting work until July 1, with Spurs apparently close to signing Empoli star Guglielmo Vicario to succeed long-serving goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Lloris has already admitted to Nice-Matin that he wishes for new challenge and could move on this summer, prompting Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy to make moves for his replacement.

Further forward, the north Londoners really want to sign a new centre-back, leading to links with Clement Lenglet on a permanent deal and Man City defender Aymeric Laporte, among others.

Of course, with both Lucas Moura and Arnaut Danjuma leaving Spurs, Postecoglou is also desperately short in the attacking area of the pitch. Tottenham, as a result, are apparently eyeing more creativity and hold a serious interest in Leicester City star James Maddison.

Xavi Simons of PSV Eindhoven has also been targeted by the Lilywhites, but according to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, they seem set to lose out on a target of theirs.

As per their information, Jackson of Villarreal was attracting interest from Spurs but they are now "set to fail in their pursuit" of the Senegal international.

This is because he's going to London rivals Chelsea, with a move described as "90% done". Tottenhan chiefs had been weighing a move for the forward, but their cross-town neighbours have acted quickly to "all but seal" his signature.

Aston Villa and Bournemouth were also targeting a move for the 22-year-old, but this report claims he seems almost certain to link up with ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

Who is Nicolas Jackson?

Jackson finished 22/23 as Villarreal's star attacking performer, racking up 16 goal contributions in the final third (12 goals and four assists) despite only making 26 La Liga appearances (WhoScored).

Called "incredible" and an "MVP" by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, Villarreal boss Quique Setien was effusive in his praise for the winger after his failed move to Bournemouth in January:

"Jackson is like having made a signing," said Setien.

"We are going to help him so that this small disappointment that he has had passes."

Manchester United have been linked to a Serie A star, as Erik ten Hag aims to improve his squad this summer.

Leading up to the transfer window, the manager is believed to want to bolster his side in areas such as the midfield and those who lead the line.

The signing of Casemiro last summer set the renovations to the Dutchman’s midfield off to a world-class start, in a theme that could continue should the club seal the signing of the latest player linked.

What’s the latest on Nicolo Barella to Manchester United?

As reported by Italian outlet La Gazetta dello Sport, Manchester United are one of the clubs interested in Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.

The report names United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United as the Premier League sides eyeing the star.

It’s stated that Inter are wanting a fee in the region of €80m (£69m) for the 26-year-old, who is contracted to the club until 2026.

Such a move would represent a cheaper alternative to that of Declan Rice. The Red Devils are in the race for his signature but with rivals Manchester City now planning a bid and indeed a fee of up to £120m touted, Barella may well be a better option.

What could Nicolo Barella offer to Manchester United?

Signing Casemiro made a significant difference to the dynamic of Ten Hag’s side by simply solidifying the midfield with a player laced with experience.

Hailed as being “the cement” to his side, the Dutch boss showered praise on the Brazilian maestro via the club’s official website, stating that he is the difference maker and is a player capable of dominating a game.

The influence of the former Real Madrid star is colossal at Old Trafford, as signified by the club’s win percentage as documented in a report back in March.

Indeed, with Casemiro the Reds obtained a win percentage 75.7%, a figure that dropped to 42.9% without him, telling the story of the importance of his presence in the squad.

This summer, Ten Hag could deliver the five-time Champions League winner a competent partner in Rice, but with that seemingly now unlikely, Inter’s midfield general Barella is a fantastic option.

Lauded a “monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese, the Italian won 55% of his total duels in Serie A and could be a perfect match to partner the Brazilian in midfield.

While Casemiro acts as the anchor in the engine room, Barella provides a box-to-box style as highlighted by his ability in the final third, recording six goals and six assists in his league campaign with Inter.

The former Real Madrid ace ranks in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe in terms of tackles, averaging a colossal 3.49 per 90 as well as registering an average of 1.47 interceptions per 90, via FBref.

The 26-year-old Barella, therefore, could provide the experienced talent with a player capable of helping with the dirty work and presenting a lavish progressive outlet.

As per FBref, Barella ranked among the best-performing midfielders in Serie A in relation to his progressive play, averaging 7.37 progressive passes and 2.62 progressive carries per 90, ranking him in the top 6% in the league in both areas.

The two could create a perfect pivot in Ten Hag’s side, supplying the Red Devils with a balanced duo that is capable of conducting mastery in the engine room.

Liverpool’s standards dropped in all departments last season.

During the 2021/22 campaign, the Reds accumulated 92 points and conceded just 26 goals in 38 games.

Disappointingly, these numbers drastically worsened last time around, as Jurgen Klopp’s side managed just 75 points and conceded 47 times.

The defence is in need of reinforcing and rejuvenating, and Edmond Tapsoba has been suggested as a possible solution.

What’s the latest on Edmond Tapsoba to Liverpool?

According to 90min, Tottenham Hotspur are progressing in talks for the centre-back, but they are “wary” of several clubs plotting to hijack their deal.

One such team is Liverpool, who are joined by Manchester United and Newcastle as a trio who are also keenly tracking the situation.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard also claimed last month that Arsenal were interested in the 24-year-old and that Bayer Leverkusen have set a price tag of around £61m if anyone wants to secure his services.

Would Edmond Tapsoba be a good signing for Liverpool?

Since joining the German outfit in 2020, the defender has made 137 appearances for the club in all competitions and has established himself as one of Xabi Alonso’s most important players.

Across 33 Bundesliga games this season, the 35-cap international has averaged 3 clearances, 1.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game while winning 62% of his ground duels, according to Sofascore.

Lauded as a “monster” by journalist Antonio Mango, the Burkina Faso gem feels he is always composed and said: “I’d like to think I am calm on the ball. That is one of my qualities, a cool head. I am not flustered. And I like bringing it out from the back. I’m technically good, I’m quick, my reactions are good and I think my tactical awareness is improving all the time.”

This admirable confidence is supported as he ranks within the top 6% for successful take-ons, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.

He appears perfectly suited to English football and could relieve the workload upon Virgil van Dijk, who has endured a tricky season. When comparing the last two terms, the Dutch giant’s average rating decreased from 7.18 to 6.97 in the past year, while he has been dribbled past more often (0.3 vs 0.1 per game) and made more errors leading to shots or goals (2 vs 0).

It is not a suggestion to drop the imperious 31-year-old, who still has a plethora of quality to offer, but it is more a recognition of Tapsoba’s extraordinary calmness, which is largely reminiscent of Van Dijk’s early days at Anfield.

Both men exude control that spreads to their teammates, and Tapsoba could make for an unbelievable partner for his fellow defender next season.

Tottenham Hotspur have remained strong in their position concerning Harry Kane's future, insisting that the forward will not be sold.

Daniel Levy is clearly hoping that the England captain's desire to break the all-time Premier League scoring record will outweigh his desperation for silverware, of which he boasts none from his time in north London.

The 29-year-old has given everything to this football club, and with Bayern Munich remaining undaunted by this stance, they continue to test the resolve of a club desperate to keep ahold of a gem with just one year left on his deal.

Ange Postecoglou would likely hope to see this saga cleared up soon, so he can start to plan a brighter future at the club with or without their star man.

Given how active they have already been in the window, far more free-spending than in past years, it seems that their new coach will receive full backing to usher in a new age. Should Kane depart, as devastating as it would be, at the very least the former Celtic boss would get his pick of the new man set to spearhead his side.

As per journalist Ben Jacobs, who noted on Sunday, they have already sounded out Jonathan David as such a replacement.

It is within that report that a fresh bid for Kane is expected, suggesting that the mere presence of a contingency plan in case of his departure suggests there is a reality where he leaves this summer.

How many goals has Jonathan David scored?

In the Canadian, the Lilywhites would gain an all-action forward to replace their technically-exceptional number nine.

The 23-year-old boasts pace, physicality and frightening finishing prowess, which he has shown with regularity during his time at LOSC Lille.

His youth proves no barrier, as last season he managed to notch 24 league goals for the French outfit despite their struggles. It marked his best scoring season thus far for this club, having notched 15 the year prior, and 13 as they momentarily ended Paris Saint-Germain's monopoly against all the odds.

Podcaster Tony Marinaro, who was enamoured with the form of his compatriot went as far as to claim: "He is a student of the game. He does everything right. Simply put, he’s a phenom. One of the best strikers in the world is Canadian".

This title-winning mentality, plus an added emphasis on his physicality, arguably makes him an even better fit for a Postecoglou side that often forces the striker to do plenty of running.

Whilst in Scotland, the 57-year-old deployed Kyogo Furuhashi as a lone striker, with his role focused on leading the press. Although his main marksman would still notch 34 goals across all competitions in his final year in charge, he forged many other chances due to the sacrifices he made for the team.

For all his outstanding qualities, Kane is unlikely to do that.

It would be near-impossible to find a like-for-like replacement for the man who scored 30 Premier League goals last term amidst all the turmoil, as few strikers in the modern game could be so prolific yet so creative too. He would record 1.5 key passes per match too (fourth best in the squad), to supplement that claim.

However, for the betterment of the club, his big-money exit could pave the way for a brighter future where they are not reliant upon just one man.

Redistributing funds to bolster the general squad would provoke long-term success in north London, with David a fine focal point to underpin such revolutionary change.